Grain cleaning device



May 26, 1970 E. G. GRULKE GRAIN CLEANING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 26, 1968 v //VV/V70/? [Al/Z. 6: G/PUZ K5 May 26, 1970 e. GRULKE GRAIN CLEANING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 26, 1968 United States Patent 3,513,973 GRAIN CLEANING DEVICE Emil G. Grulke, Kelley, Iowa 50134 Continuation-impart of application Ser. No. 421,162, Dec. 24, 1964, now Patent No. 3,370,705, dated Feb. 27, 1968. This application Feb. 26, 1968, Ser. No. 708,130 The portion of the term of the patent subsequent to Feb. 27, 1985, has been disclaimed and dedicated to the Public Int. Cl. B07b 9/00, 1/28, 11/06 U.S. Cl. 209-241 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A device for cleaning grain which may be positioned either at the inlet or outlet end of a grain conveyor feeding a storage bin or the like. The cleaning device employs a fan under a pair of spaced apart screens for blowing air through the screens and removing foreign material. The lower screen includes along its length staggered guides for directing the grain from the top to the bottom of the device back and forth from one side to the other side to give maximum exposure to the air being blown through the screen. The cleaning is further assisted by the lower screen being connected to a shaker.

This is a continuation-in-part application of Ser. No. 421,162 filed Dec. 24, 1964, Pat. No. 3,370,705, Feb. 27, 196-8.

Shelled corn always contains a certain amount of fines. These fines include minute particles of corn and small kernals. The presence of the fines in the corn result in the corn being of a somewhat lower grade. Additionally, the shelled corn usually contains husks, trash and cobs which also reduces the quality of the corn.

Therefore, it is a principal object of this invention to provide a grain cleaning device which is positioned between a conveyor means and a storage bin.

A further object of this invention is to provide a grain cleaning device which effectively separates a predetermined amount of fines from the remainder of the shelled com.

A further object of this invention is to provide a grain cleaning device which removes husks, trash and cobs from the shelled corn.

A further object of this invention is to provide a grain cleaning device having a fan means operatively mounted thereon to blow a predetermined amount of husks, trash, cobs and fines from the shelled corn.

A further object of this invention is to provide a grain cleaning device which has a reciprocating screen means mounted therein.

A further object of this invention is to provide a grain cleaning device which may be selectively inclined.

A further object of this invention is to provide a grain cleaning device which may be readily and easily positioned between a conveyor means and a storage bin or grain unloading device and conveyor means.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a grain cleaning device which is economical of manufacture, durable in use and refined in appearance.

These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

This invention consists in the construction, arrangements, and combination of the various parts of the device, whereby the objects contemplated are attained as hereinafter more fully set forth, specifically pointed out in the claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

3,513,973 Patented May 26, 1970 FIG. 1 is a fragmentary side view of a storage bin and a conveyor means having the grain cleaning device positioned therebetween;

FIG. 2 is a top elevational view of the grain cleaning device with portions thereof cut away to more fully illustrate the invention;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the device with portions thereof cut away to more fully illustrate the invention;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of an alternate arrangement showing the grain cleaner positioned for feeding grain into the loading end of the conveyor; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the cleaning device only.

The numeral 10 in FIG. 1 generally designates a granary having a roof 11 and a closable top opening 13 formed therein. The numeral 15 designates an auger or conveyor means having a discharge spout 17 secured to its upper end. The grain cleaner, which is the subject of this invention, is generally indicated at 19.

As seen in FIGS. 2 and 5, grain cleaner 19 includes a pair of spaced apart, converging, vertical sideboards 21 and 23 which have a plurality of supporting rods 25 secured thereto by any convenient means and extending therebetween adjacent the lower edges thereof. Sideboards 21 and 23 also have a plurality of supporting rods 27 secured thereto and extending therebetween in a plane above rods 25.

A sheet of galvanized hardware cloth 29' is positioned on top of rods 27 and extends between sideboards 21 and 23 as seen in the drawings. Hardware cloth 29 is secured to rods 27 in any convenient fashion. A sheet of galvanized hardware cloth 31 is movably positioned on top of rods 25 and extends between sideboards 21 and 23 as seen in the drawings.

Secured to the upper top surface of hardware cloth 31 is a pair of spaced apart bearing members 33 and 35 having a rotatable shaft 37 extending therebetween. An arm member 39 is rotatably connected to shaft 37 at its lower end and is operatively connected at its upper end to an eccentric cam means 41 which is driven by motor 43. Motor 43 is mounted on end member 45, which is secured to the upper ends of sideboards 21 and 23 and extends therebetween, by means of bolts 47.

As seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, ear members 49 and 51 are secured to the bottom sides of sideboards 21 and 23 adjacent their upper ends respectively, which extend downwardly therefrom and which are adapted to slidably receive pin 53.

As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, a shield member 63 is secured to sideboards 21 and 23 adjacent their lower ends by means of bolts 55. Mounted within shield member 63 is a motor 39 having a fan means 61 operatively rotatably secured thereto which is adapted to force air upwardly through hardware cloths 31 and 29. Secured to the lower end of shield member 63 is a louver means 65 to permit regulation of air that is supplied to fan means 61.

Secured to the bottom surfaces of sideboards 21 and 23 adjacent their lower ends by means of welding or the like is a plate 67 which extends therebetween. Bolted to plate 67 is one end of a hinge 69. The other end of hinge 69 is bolted at each of its lateral sides to angle members 71 and 73 extending rearwardly therefrom. A bar 75 is secured to the bottom rearward ends of angle members 71 and 73 by means of welding or the like and extends therebetween.

Pivotally connected to the rearward ends of angle members 71 and 73 by means of pin members are braces 77 and 79 respectively which extend upwardly therefrom. Braces 77 and 79 are provided with a plurality of holes along a portion of their lengths which are adapted to receive pin 53.

The upper surface of hardware cloth 31 is provided with a plurality of inverted V-shaped baifie members 81 extending inwardly and forwardly from its side as seen in FIG. 2.

The normal method of operation is as follows. The upper end of grain cleaner 19 is secured to the upper end of a conveyor means 15 by any convenient means and the lower end of grain cleaner 19 is caused to extend downwardly into top opening 13. As seen in FIG. 1, the rim of top opening 13 engages grain cleaner 19 at a point below sideboards 21 and 23 forwardly of braces 71 and 73 to limit the downward movement thereof. Grain cleaner 19 would be positioned so that sideboards 21 and 23 slope at approximately 40 to 45 degrees. The slope of sideboards 21 and 23 may be adjusted by means of pin 53 and the holes in braces 77 and 79 as previously described. The drawings illustrate one means of adjusting the slope of the grain cleaner.

Conveyor means 15 in FIG. 1 deposits the grain on the upper end of hardware cloth 29. It has been found that a 3 x 3 hardware cloth is the most desirable cloth having openings formed therein. The fines fall through hardware cloth 29 onto hardware cloth 31. Hardware cloth 31 is a 4 x 4 cloth having inch openings formed therein. Hardware cloth 31 permits some of the small particles of corn to fall downwardly therethrough onto the ground. Motor 43 through cam means 41 shakes hardware cloth 31 at approximately 120 revolutions per minute. This shaking action causes a predetermined amount of the fines to fall downwardly through hardware cloth 31 onto the ground. The fines remaining on hardware cloth 31 are directed downwardly on hardware cloth 31 by means of baflles 81. Meanwhile, the cobs, husks and larger kernals of cron pass downwardly on screen 29. Fan means 61 forces air upwardly through hardware cloth 31 and 29 thereby blowing a predetermined amount of the remaining fines from hardware cloths 31 and 29 as well as blowing the undesirable husks and cobs form hardware cloth. Motor 59 should be a heavy duty motor which is moisture proof but yet light in weight. Fan means 61 should be able to deliver 4000 cubic feet of air per minute at 1,750 revolution per minute. Louver means 65 provides a means for regulating the supply of air to fan means 61.

Grain cleaner 19 separates approximately 60 percent of the undesirable fines before the grain passes over fan means 61. Fan means 61 blows approximately 60 percent of the remaining fines from hardware cloth 31 and hardware cloth 29.

As stated before, grain cleaner 19 is positioned so that hardware cloths 29 and 31 slope at approximately 40 to 45 degrees. This slope would be changed for variations in the moisture concent of the grain to be cleaned. Preferably, the device should be constructed of a lightweight aluminum alloy.

The grain cleaning device 19 is shown in an alternate arrangement in FIGS. 4 and 5 wherein the conventional auger conveyor 15 feeds directly into the top inlet opening of the grain bin 11 while a grain wagon 100 through its discharge auger 102 feeds grain 104 into the upper end of the cleaning device while the lower end feeds into the hopper 106 on the lower end of the grain conveyor 15. It is further seen in FIG. 4 that the fan 63 is blowing foreign matter 110 out of the cleaning device 19. A stand 120 comprised of the adjustable members 71 and 79 is pro vided for varying the angle of the cleaning device 19.

The arrangement shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 is similar in its functioning and net result as that shown in FIG. 1 but has the advantage of locating the cleaning device at a more accessible position in the system. It is much easier to operate the cleaning device on the ground than it is to operate it when it is positioned on top of the grain bin 11 and at the upper end of the conveyor 15.

It is seen that the guide bafile members 81 on the bottom screen 31 greatly assist the cleaning of the grain 122 as seen in FIG. 5 because the grain is agitated by the movement of the bottom screen 31 first from one side to 4 the other side of the screen as seen by the zig zag line of grain in FIG. 5. This provides maximum exposure of the grain to the air from the fan unit 63 and also permits the small particles of foreign material to drop through the screen 31 and out the bottom of the cleaning device separate from the grain 122.

The elimination of the undesirable fines, husks, cobs and trash from the grain reduces the length of time needed to dry the grain. The reduced drying time necessarily reduces the costs of such drying operations.

The elimination of the undesirable fines permits better and longer storage life of the grain and reduces the problem of insect infestation and damage.

Thus from the foregoing it can be seen that the device accomplishes at least all of its stated objectives.

Some changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of my grain cleaning device without departing from the real spirit and purpose of my invention, and it is my intention to cover by my claims, any modified forms of structure or use of mechanical equivalents which may be reasonably included within their scope.

I claim:

1. A grain cleaning device, comprising:

an inclined grain cleaning means having an upper and a lower end,

said grain cleaning means including a screen means and a fan means forcing air upwardly through said screen means,

said grain cleaning means also including a screen frame means having upper and lower ends, said screen frame means comprising a pair of elongated, spaced apart side boards, said screen means comprising a top screen means secured to said side boards and extending therebetween along the length thereof and a bottom screen means below said top screen means extending between said side boards, and said bottom screen means having a finer mesh than said top screen means for grain to fall through said top screen and be retained on said bottom screen, bafile guide members secured to the upper surface of said bottom screen, said bafile guide members extending transversely inwardly and longitudinally downwardly from opposite sides thereof, said batfie guide members being staggered along the length of said bottom screen and terminating at their inner ends adjacent the longitudinal center line of said bottom screen such that as said grain moves from the upper end to the lower end of said bottom screen it moves back and forth across said bottom screen thereby providing maximum exposure to the air being blown through said bottom screen by said fan means, said fan means positioned below said bottom screen means and forcing air through said bottom screen means and upwardly through said top screen means,

said bottom screen means having means operatively connected thereto adapted to shake said bottom screen means, and

said fan means being positioned at the lower end of said bottom screen and means being provided for limiting and varying the amount of air blown through said bottom screen.

2. A grain cleaning device, comprising:

an inclined grain cleaning means having an upper and a lower end,

said grain cleaning means including a screen means and a fan means forcing air upwardly through said screen means,

said grain cleaning means also including a screen frame means having upper and lower ends, said screen frame means comprising a pair of elongated, spaced apart side boards,

said screen means comprising a top screen means secured to said side boards and extending therebetween along the length thereof and a bottom screen means below said top screen means extending between said side boards,

bafiie guide members secured to the upper surface of said bottom screen, said bafiie guide members extending transversely inwardly and longitudinally downwardly from opposite sides thereof, said baflle guide members being staggered along the length of said bottom screen and terminating at their inner ends adjacent the longitudinal center line of said bottom screen such that as said grain moves from the upper end to the lower end of said bottom screen it moves back and forth across said 'bottom screen thereby providing maximum exposure to the air being blown through said bottom screen by said fan means,

said fan means positioned below and at the lower end of said bottom screen means and forcing air through said bottom screen means and upwardly through said top screen means, said fan having means for limiting and varying the amount of air blown through said bottom screen,

said bottom screen means having means operatively connected thereto adapted to shake said bottom screen means.

3. The structure of claim 2 wherein said lower end of said inclined grain cleaning means is in communication with a conveyor means having a receiving end and a discharge end, a granary having an inlet opening, said discharge end being in communication with said inlet opening substantially above said receiving end, and a grain storage unit having an unloading means in communication with the upper end of said inclined grain cleaning means.

4. The structure of claim 3 wherein said inlet opening is located in the upper end of said granary, said receiving end of said conveyor is a hopper and said grain storage unit is mobile, and said unloading means on said grain storage unit is a powered conveyor.

5. The structure of claim 3 wherein said means forcing air upwardly through a portion of said bottom screen and a portion of said top screen includes a fan means having a louver means mounted thereon to selectively control the amount of air available to said fan means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 694,540 3/ 1902 Francoeur 209241 X 1,005,380 10/1911 Wear 209321 X 1,270,896 7/1918 Stuart 209241 X 1,409,353 3/1922 Adamson 209241 X 1,705,336 3/1929 Pape 209-241 1,843,404 2/ 1932 Rasmussen 209240 X 3,370,705 2/ 1968 Gruike 209240 3,384,232 5/1968 Turnbull 209-421 2,732,941 6/1953 Deiss 209261 FOREIGN PATENTS 150,443 3/1962 Russia.

488,028 12/1953 Italy.

596,951 5/ 1934 Germany.

HARRY B. THORNTON, Primary Examiner R. HALPER, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 209-264, 318 

